After retiring from a 27 year civil service career with the US Air Force, Christiana chose to make Shenandoah her home. The beauty of the county and in particular, the Blue Ridge and Appalachian Mountains, reminded her of her home in Germany.

Retirement allowed Christiana to enjoy the labors of her fruits…literally, because she spent hours upon hours in her yard, landscaping, and gardening, both vegetables and flowers. She enjoyed canning all types of fruit and included flowers and berries from her garden in arrangements she made as gifts throughout the year. One of the many joys, she would say, was seeing the landscape she created change with different bursts of colors which were further complemented by natures’ own seasonal changes.

Christiana also loved the thrill of flea market finds, yard sales, consignment shops and antique stores. She couldn’t pass up on a good deal when she found one, even if it was something she didn’t need, but just had to have because it would come to good use: eventually.

She was someone who, not unlike everyone else, wanted to be happy, and she wanted to share that happiness as often as she could with those she knew and loved, be it in sharing a good find, good company or a good laugh.

She was born in 1937 to Josef and Elisabeth Michalsky, and one of three daughters. Her early years in Berlin were marked by tragedy, living through the city bombings, loosing friends and family and the rebuilding efforts, but her strong spirit always made her look ahead in her life. She often told us that she was blessed because she was one of the lucky ones who survived, but with that came a responsibility, a life-long mission to never forget the many blessings she had and the importance of family, friends and God.

In 1959, Christiana married, and spent 24-years as a dutiful wife to a service member in the US Army. During her career as a military wife, she balanced parenting with many community services, and was recognized in the Landkries Landstuhl “Who’s Who” for building German-American relationships. She also gave her time to US veterans, knitting lap blankets for close to 40 years and gifting them to the veterans each year for Christmas. More recently, she became involved in supporting the American Cancer Society, as she lost two close friends who battled cancer.

The achievement however she was most proud o,f and one where her name, Christiana holds, at best, third place is that of being our Mother, our Mom, unsere Mama, Oma and Grandy. Hers was a tough love, one that can’t be measured, nor counted, but unconditional and lifelong.

It was she who was there to care for us when we were unable to sleep because of a bad dream or a storm ; it was she that was there when we fell down and nurtured us, even though we really weren’t hurt; it was she was who was there to teach us our first words…seeing our smiles and hearing our giggles as we made many German-American mistakes…but in the course of time she helped us learn two languages; it was she who taught us the importance of being independent….a life-long goal, helping us spread our wings to take in what the world had to offer and, while we may often have thought the teaching was over, we’ve discovered it hasn’t, as she saved toughest and most difficult lesson in life: one that we didn’t expect so soon, but one that she wanted us to better understand. Although she may not be with us in person any longer, like her mother, she told us that she will always be with us in prayer and in spirit. She would continue to be with us and as our ‘Angel’.

I can’t say that everything’s okay
‘Cause I can see the tears you’re crying
And I can’t promise to take the pain away
But you can know I won’t stop trying

I’ll be the angel by your side
I will get you through the night
I’ll be the strength you can’t provide on your own
‘Cause when you’re down and out of time
And you think you’ve lost the fight
Let me be the angel
The angel by your side

REMEMBERING

Christiana Elisabeth Haydn

doug palmer

November 21, 2012

Happy birthday. Oma. We love you and miss you very much

Mark & Anja Henniger/Scharfenberger

November 20, 2012

Mom,one day before your Birthday I wondered what the day would bring, how it would be not being able to communicate with you directly and what blessings could be extended although so far apart. Another of your passions was the art of Music and how it has influenced my life. May this song reach you wherever you are...A song of "An Angel". God Bless you Mom! With Love Mark & Anja

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofxBU1AcyyU&feature=endscreen&NR=1

In remembrance: Happy Birthday Mom!

Melissa Perez

November 20, 2012

Happy birthday Mrs. H. May you rest in peace.

November 19, 2012

Happy Birthday Mom. I celebrate your 75th birthday today, as well as your life. Know the seeds you've planted continue to encourage me so that I may find peace and to also explore my dreams. Your love gives me a sense of freedom and allows me to see the poetry in everything around me...my wife and our beautiful girls, my extended family and my special friends. Thank you for the many blessings and love you've given so unconditionally for 49 years. Miss you and love you immensely. Forever greatful, your son Thomas

Linda Jones

May 22, 2012

Mark and Family,

My deepest sympathy on the loss of your mother. May God keep you in his embrace at this difficult time and I hope you find comfort in your Mother's memories knowing that your Mother is one of God's Angels watching over you and your family. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. God Bless.

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